People

Sara Heslington

Analyst and Business Manager

Sara Heslington graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Biological Sciences and a minor in Medieval Studies. During her University years, Sara discovered a love for baking and on graduating enrolled in New York’s French Culinary Institute where she obtained a further degree in Pastry and Baking.
Sara began her culinary career working for celebrity cake designer, Ron Ben-Israel. Under his expert guidance, she learned the art of creating life-like sugar flowers and one of a kind edible masterpieces while working on projects for publications like Modern Bride and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Returning to her Southern Californian roots in 2003, Sara developed her pastry career and assisted in the opening of Montage, Laguna Beach, a resort consistently recognised by Forbes and Travel + Leisure as one of the top hotels in the world.

After learning from Richard Ruskell, one of America’s leading pastry chefs, Sara decided to take a break from the world of pastry to focus on her philanthropic interests. She spent 18 months volunteering in Southern Taiwan as a missionary, gaining exposure to a vastly different culture and way of living that shaped a life-long appreciation for diversity and the importance of open-mindedness and tolerance. On returning from Taiwan, Sara relocated to Asia and consulted for a start-up cake company in Chongqing, China helping with recipe and product development. Not only did this experience give Sara a chance to develop her Mandarin skills, she also gained insight into the challenges of introducing Western concepts to the Asian market and adapting them to foreign standards.

In 2008, Sara returned to California and assisted in the opening of The Resort at Pelican Hill, a five-star resort in Newport Coast. Finding fulfilment in creating and starting new brands, in 2010 Sara started her own Heslington Cakes business. In parallel, she served as an Executive/Personal Assistant to an Ultra High Net Worth family and gained insight into lifestyle management while also assisting with her client’s business and non-profit foundations.

In 2017, inspired to begin yet another journey, Sara enrolled in a Masters Degree in Luxury Hospitality Management at the University of West London. Her interest in luxury hospitality led her to seek employment in a leading luxury branding firm. Sara Heslington now serves Luxury Branding as an Analyst and Business Manager.